Lavatory stopper

ABSTRACT

A drain stopping apparatus for the cylindrical drain of a lavatory or sink basin having a faucet provided thereover, the stopping apparatus comprising: a round plastic plug, adapted to seat in the drain, with a vinyl sealing ring around the perimeter and weighted lower portion; and, a chain fastened at its proximate end to the center of the plug to allow the plug to be extracted from the basin without placing one&#39;s hand below the waterline in the basin, the chain being secured its other or distal end to the faucet.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.Provisional Application Serial No. 60/213,421, filed Jun. 22, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] I. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to lavatory or sink drainstoppers and, more particularly, to a secured drain stopper device.

[0004] II. Motivation for the Invention

[0005] While modern technology has given us many advances andimprovements in our lives, there are those advances which sometimes area setback to what was previously used. An example of this is the commonlavatory or sink drain. Years ago, the common way of holding water in abowl with a drain was the rubber stopper. Advances in plumbingtechnology, metal and plastics led to the development and common use ofthe integral drain mechanism which used a lever to seal the drain fromabove the waterline. While this has generally worked, there are thoseinstances where the integral drain commonly leaks water into the drainor leaks water on the floor through the lever attachment seal. Oftenreplacement parts are no longer available for older drain mechanisms andthe entire lavatory or sink must be replaced. Also, there are thoseusers who may be looking for a retro lifestyle look and are unable tofind it amongst current plumbing fixture offerings.

[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the drainstopper mechanism of lavatories, sinks, tubs and the like can bereplaced and/or repaired in a simple, straightforward manner.

[0007] Several patents disclose a pop-up lavatory plug or drain stopper:

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,143, issued to Lordahl, et al.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,518, issued to Mowery.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,619, issued to Rokitenetz; and,

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,980, issued to Petursson, et al.

[0012] Several patents disclose a drain assembly for a lavatory basin:

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,545, issued to Pan.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,785, issued to Crawford, et al; and,

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 2,915,762, issued to Kivela.

[0016] Several patents disclose a magnetically-actuated lavatory drainplug:

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,724, issued to Holmes; and,

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,519, issued to Husting.

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,581, issued to Russell discloses a drain plugassembly for a dishwasher, and the like.

[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,569, issued to Ingram discloses an adjustabledrain plug, especially to replace a broken or lost drain plug.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0021] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of thepresent invention, reference should be had to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like partsare given like reference numerals and, wherein:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of alavatory stopper according to the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the lavatory stopper ofFIG. 1 being inserted in the drain of a lavatory basin; and,

[0024]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the lavatory stopper ofFIG. 1 fully inserted in the drain of a lavatory basin partially filledwith water to waterline WL.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a stopper-type apparatus 10 for usein the cylindrical drains of lavatories, kitchen sinks, utility tubs andthe like is provided. The unit 10 consists of a round plastic plug ordrain stopper 12, adapted to seat in a cylindrical drain, with a vinylsealing ring 14 around its perimeter and a weighted lower or bottomportion 13. It is intended for use primarily in the drains of bathroomlavatories, but can be made in varying sizes for use in the drains ofkitchen sinks, utility tubs, and other similar sinks. A chain 20 isfastened at its proximate end 21 to a chain securement means or bracket16 mounted to the center 18 of the upper surface 11 of plastic plug 12to allow plug 12 to be extracted from the drain 42 of a lavatory or sinkbasin 40 without placing one's hand in the water in basin 40 defined bywaterline WL. This chain 20 would be secured to the faucet 30 over basin40 at its other or distal or faucet securing end 23 by an integral ring22.

[0026] ARROWS A of FIG. 2 depict the operational stages of insertion andsealing in drain 42; and, FIG. 3 illustrates a sealed drain 42 and basin40 partially filled with water to waterline WL.

[0027] This invention 10 is intended to be used in a manner similar to arubber stopper, but would allow for better sealing. It is envisionedthat the present invention 10 would be supplied as new equipment on newsinks with integral drain mechanisms, or could be supplied through thedo-it-yourself market as a replacement product for those sinks that haveintegral drain mechanism that do not seal or otherwise work properly.The use of the present invention allows for a continued use of oldersinks with inoperable drain stopper mechanisms as well as providing aninteresting means for holding water on newer sinks as well.

[0028] Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made withinthe scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A drain stopping apparatus for thecylindrical drain of a lavatory or sink basin having a faucet providedthereover, said stopping apparatus comprising: (a) a round plug, adaptedto seat in said drain, with a sealing ring around the perimeter; and,(b) a chain fastened at its proximate end to said plug to allow saidplug to be extracted from said basin without placing one's hand belowthe waterline in said basin, said chain being secured its other ordistal end to said faucet.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein saidplug has a sealing ring around the perimeter and weighted lower portion.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said chain is fastened at itsproximate end to the center of said plug.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 ,wherein said plug is plastic.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein saidsealing ring is vinyl.
 6. A drain stopping apparatus for the cylindricaldrain of a lavatory or sink basin having a faucet provided thereover,said stopping apparatus comprising: (a) a round plug, adapted to seat insaid drain, with a sealing ring around the perimeter and weighted lowerportion; and, (b) a chain fastened at its proximate end to the center ofsaid plug to allow said plug to be extracted from said basin withoutplacing one's hand below the waterline in said basin, said chain beingsecured its other or distal end to said faucet.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6 , wherein said plug is plastic.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 ,wherein said sealing ring is vinyl.
 9. A drain stopping apparatus forthe cylindrical drain of a lavatory or sink basin having a faucetprovided thereover, said stopping apparatus comprising: (a) a roundplastic plug, adapted to seat in said drain, with a vinyl sealing ringaround the perimeter and weighted lower portion; and, (b) a chainfastened at its proximate end to the center of said plug to allow saidplug to be extracted from said basin without placing one's hand belowthe waterline in said basin, said chain being secured its other ordistal end to said faucet.